Dick Blume/The Post-StandardMongolian/Chinese Pheasants, which is a new strain of bird that's being stocked across the state this year, were raised this year at the Jamesville Correctional Facility's pheasant-raising facility.

I'm really enjoying the warm weather. It's a blessing this time of year. Believe me, though, it's going to get cold soon enough.

Meanwhile, here's what's on tap for this week's Outdoors pages in The Post-Standard.

FRIDAY: Saturday marks the opener of the pheasant hunting season in the Southern and Northwestern zones. We talk to a handful of pheasant hunters, plus the guy who manages the pheasant rearing facility over at the Jamesville Correctional Facility, where the birds for Onondaga County are raised.

Column: The DEC has announced an emergency ban on importing certain deer and elk parts from Pa. as a result of an incidence of chonic wasting disease which was discovered recently at a private deer farm in that state.

SUNDAY: Thanks to federal money obtained through an excise tax on the purchase of firearms and hunting supplies, the DEC was able to build a new bridge that will significantly open up access to the 3,200-acre Howland's Island which is a hot spot for birders and hunters alike -- not to mention cross country skiers and snowshoers.

In coming weeks, I'd like to write about the following outdoors activities. If you know someone who does these activities, contact me ASAP:

-- Fall turkey hunting with the assistance of dogs

-- Someone who still has a license to fish commercially for perch in Lake Ontario with gill nets.

-- Someone who's willing to talk about the history and current situation concerning the floating duck blinds at the end of Cayuga Lake that are put out every year.

- Someone who hunts rabbits and squirrels with the aid of falcons or hawks.

ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT?
The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at dfigura@syracuse.com or call 470-6066.

FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:
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